I am the gel moisturizer queen.
About 10 years ago, I discovered Clinique Moisture Surge, a gel moisturizer for very dry skin that helps fortify the skin’s barrier to keep dry skin hydrated. I loved it, and used it during the winter as an add-on to my regular moisturizer. It was positioned as a product to use when skin is stressed/dried out from environmental factors such as wind, cold or sun. I used it during the cold weather when I needed it. When the warm weather returned, I didn’t replace it.
As some of you who read the blog may remember, I adore Lierac Hydra-Chrono Extreme Balm, that the packaging says is: “for dehydrated skin”. Well, I guess that’s me, super-dry skin. I love the pink gel. It’s so luxurious and thick but still light, and my skin stays nicely hydrated when I use it. I use the Lierac as a regular moisturizer. But when I don’t find a good deal on Amazon (though lately I do) or find it at Marshall’s, it can be pricey at CVS or Walgreen’s at $50.
So, imagine my delight when I saw that the more popularly priced brands were getting into gel moisturizers, too! Recently, Garnier introduced two versions of Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream, one for normal skin and one for dry skin. Needless to say, I bought the dry skin version.
Garnier Moisture Rescue for Dry Skin is a pale pink gel, much lighter pink than the Lierac, but I won’t hold that against it. (The gel for normal skin is a pretty sea-foam green.)
When I open the jar, it smells very fresh, almost like a toner – probably because it has alcohol in it. Since I always use a serum, I put that on first, and put the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin on top of that. The Moisture Rescue melts right into my skin like water. The package says “non-greasy”, and they’re not kidding. There is no greasy feeling at all. It takes about a minute to dry, and immediately after my skin feels as if it has had moisture sealed into it.
The packaging for Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin claims: “Intensely locks-in moisture and softens dry skin for 24 hours”. The package says “antioxidant fruit water” below that. I guess “antioxidant fruit water” must be a new trend, because I recently received a tiny sample pack from DHC of heavenly orange-scented, thicker and creamier Moisture Fruit Gel Cream.
The product description on one of the side panels goes on to say :
“…Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin captures the power of Antioxidant Fruit Water. Together with skin healthy humectants that resemble skin’s natural water-binding functions, this refeshing gel cream helps replenish skin’s moisture reserves for 24 hours and helps defend skin from external aggressors. With skin-conditioning vitamin C, this daily moisturizer also helps to maintain skin’s moisture barrier to protect against moisture loss.” Sounds promising. And it contains twice the number of humectants than Garnier Moisture Rescue for Normal Skin.
At this point, I have only been using the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin for a couple of days. I don’t know whether the moisture would last for 24 hours or not. I didn’t give it a chance. However, it does make it till the next time I wash my face and moisturize, so it lasts at least half a day. Frankly, unlike body lotion where I do want a product that makes my skin feel moisturized for 24 hours, a facial moisturizer doesn’t have to last that long since I know I’m going to wash my face.
At any rate, the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin is lighter weight than my favorite Lierac, what I remember of Clinique’s Moisture Surge, and the DHC Moisture Fruit Gel Cream sample. Instead, it is definitely refreshing, feels like I’ve used a toner, and it seems to be just the right weight for the summer. So this may become my moisturizer for hot, sticky summer nights. With my Sahara desert-dry skin, I miss the heaviness of other creams and even other gel creams during the still chilly weather.
But for anyone with normal to somewhat dry skin, the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin might be a great hydrator for you after being outside during ski season or a long day at the beach. If you have combination or oily skin, I think you might really enjoy Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Normal Skin as your daily or nightly moisturizer. The fact that it’s100% oil-free could be a real plus.
I bought the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin,1.7 oz/50g, at CVS for $8.99. It’s available at drugstores, mass merchandisers, Ulta, and online at Amazon, garnierusa.com. drugstore.com etc. Made in the U.S.A.
Dermatologist tested for safety. 100% oil-free. Non comedogenic, ie won’t clog pores. Gentle to skin.
Ingredients
Aqua / Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, CI 14700 / Red 4, Dimethiconol, Menthoxypropanediol, Nymphaea Alba Extract / Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Pyrus Malus Water / Apple Fruit Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Tetrasodium Edta, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum / Fragrance
[easyreview title=”Product Rating” cat1title=”Moisturizing” cat1detail=”Skin feels plumped & moisturized till wash face” cat1rating=”4.5″ cat2title=”Weight” cat2detail=”Lightweight gel, almost watery” cat2rating=”3.5″ cat3title=”SPF” cat3detail=”no SPF” cat3rating=”2.0″ cat4title=”Price” cat4detail=”Inexpensive” cat4rating=”5.0″ summary=”Good product, could be perfect for me for summer or for those with oily skin” icon=”bluestar”]
Gels make great hot weather moisturizers! So much lighter than creams. If you want to check out any of these lighter weight moisturizers, here are links at Amazon:
